A pig! No, more like a boar?
The Guild Master was a beast-kin, as his body was covered in brown fur. But he wasn't a normal one, he was one of those that belonged to more animal-like tribes such as lizardmen, with heads of beasts instead of just some ears and tails. He looked like a giant boar. With a big snout, large tusks coming from his lower jaw, and small eyes.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Guild Master." I said with a smile. He quickly noticed I had ended staring at his appearance for a few seconds.
"Oh, my kin must not be so common in the rest of the continent, yes? If you were wondering, I am an Orcus, we are recognized as beast-kins and our appearance is similar to that of boars!" He said as if he was prideful of that. Well, there's nothing wrong with being prideful of your ethnicity. "Please, do not confuse the name of our tribe with Orcs, we are different. Our name comes from our great ancestor, Orcus, a powerful boar man that once helped protect the Continent of Vanaheim, where it is said that beast-kin tribes originate from."
"I see. Thank you for clarifying things. I've always liked to meet new people and I am happy to see that the Guild Master is someone else than just another Ice Giant." I said with a rather pleased smile. I sat down in front of his desk as he nodded happily.
"I am happy that you're an open-minded man! Judging people merely because of their appearance or ethnicity is truly the fruit of ignorance. I can already see that you were raised by a loving family and intelligent parents." Said Eustace, he spoke like a very refined man, but sometimes he would let out an "oink".
"Y-Yeah, you're right…" I said. Although I can't say I was raised by good parents because they didn't even raised me…
"Anyways, let's get down to business. I would gladly let you register right away, but I can't help but wonder what's your reason behind wanting to register as a Chef in our Guild, sir Drake. As the Guild Master, I cannot simply let you in. I at least, need a good reason and also some sort of experience. Merely being a merchant can't do. In here we are passionate about our job, and we want to explore the world of gourmet food, find new and delicious ingredients, cook them, and share the flavors with the world. This world is vast and there are many continents, to fully explore all the flavors in the world doesn't only take dedication and money, but also strength!" Eustace said.
"Well, my primary reason is because I am passionate about cooking! And about strength? Don't worry, I am actually Rank 6!" I said with a smile, as I leaked a bit of my Mana without adding Divine Power to it. The enormously strong Mana Aura was so oppressive and pressuring that Eustace was shocked, almost dropping from his seat.
"W-What power!" He muttered in shock. "I-I can already tell you're strong! Are you an Ice Attribute Magician? Oh! There's also Wind in here?" He wondered as he analyzed my Aura. He wasn't a weakling either. Although Eustace was clearly not a god like me, he was very strong. I could easily feel the aura of a Rank 5 Peak Stage Magus from his Mana Core.
"Precisely, I am one of those rare dual element magus." I said.
"Incredible! Sadly, your magic doesn't seem as good at cooking, but ice magic is handy at preserving food by freezing it! I guess wind magic can also be used to cook ingredients." He said, immediately applying my magic to cooking.
"I can also easily lift things with wind magic." I said, lifting the surrounding furniture.
"A-Amazing! You got an incredible control over the element of wind!" Eustace couldn't help but open his mouth wide. Those capable of controlling an element directly without chanting spells were not so common.
"In my case, I have yet to reach the Realm of Rank 6 experts, but I am a humble Rank 5 Peak Stage Fire Magus. Since I was a little cub that I was always fascinated with tasting new food. I used my fire magic to roast anything I caught and ate it with my family. Thanks to this element of magic, I've been cooking my way through life, without realizing it, I ended as a Rank 5 Peak Stage. It truly didn't felt like I worked so hard for it though, I was always just eating and cooking! Bwahaha!" Eustace laughed, telling me a bit about his life.
It seems that he probably beat a bunch of powerful monsters and slowly gained more Mana Essence through devouring their Mana-rich bodies, and perhaps using their Mana Cores somehow to refine the Mana Core. But if he says that he didn't realized, maybe he got another way aside from this.
"I see, I guess we share the same passion, since I was a little child that I've liked hunting and eating. I've slowly developed my way of cooking in many ways, and merging it with the magic I possess." I said.
"Oooh! I would like to see how's your cooking, Sir Drake! One of the conditions to enter our Guild is to make a plate of food with all our passion. I will taste it and decide if you're truly a passionate chef." Said Eustace.
"Wow, this is easier than I imagined, most Guilds will ask for some information and money… But the entrance fee is making a good dish?" I asked.
"Indeed, although you still have to pay a small fee for the registration later."
"Ah… Well, anyways, I suppose I can begin cooking right now."
"Oh, already feeling it? I can bring you to the kitchen right away! We have a big assortment of ingredients and-"
"Spirit Summon: Spirit Kitchen Party."
FLUOOOSH!
"W-W-WHAT IS THISSSSS?!"
